Pages:  201-216 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.55086/sp262201216

This work analyzes collagen isotope shifts in bone samples from Stone Age sites in the forest-steppe Volga region. The bones of herbivores and some omnivores (elk, beaver, horse, deer, marmot, bear, wolf, and fox) exhibit δ¹³C distributions ranging from -21,8 ‰ to -19,3 ‰, and δ¹⁵N from 2,7 ‰ to 6,8 ‰. This range is considered normal for a diet that includes both plant and meat and makes the samples reliable for absolute age determination. Elevated δ¹⁵N values (7,5—11,6 ‰) are observed for the skeletal remains of badgers, wild boars, cattle, and dogs, with valid radiocarbon dates obtained for all but the last sample. Reptiles (pond turtles) and fish in the region exhibit the lowest δ¹³C values (-27,3—24,8 ‰), while the latter exhibit high δ¹⁵N values (8,4—14,3 ‰). Radiocarbon dates for their bones, teeth, and shells are 350—850 years older than those obtained for mammals and indicate the presence of a so-called “freshwater reservoir effect” in the forest-steppe Volga region. δ¹³C isotope shifts in human bone collagen range from -24 ‰ to -20 ‰, generally consistent with data for mammals in the region, while δ¹⁵N values are significantly higher (12—15,5 ‰) and correlate with those obtained for fish. The difference between paired dating of human and animal bones is 400—700 years, which indicates the influence of the “freshwater reservoir effect” and a specific diet associated with the systematic consumption of aquatic resources.

Keywords: East Europe, Volga region, isotopic shift, δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, food chain, radiocarbon dating

Information about authors:

Konstantin Andreev (Samara, Russian Federation). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Samara State University of Social Sciences and Education. Maxim Gorky St., 65/67, Samara, 443099, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
ORCID: 0000-0003-3707-3142

Anton Shalapinin (Samara, Russian Federation). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Samara State University of Social Sciences and Education. Maxim Gorky St., 65/67, Samara, 443099, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
ORCID: 0000-0001-9434-7811

Kseniya Babina (Novosibirsk, Russian Federation). Candidate of Chemistry. Novosibirsk State University. Pirogov St., 2, 630090, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation; Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Akademik Lavrentiev Ave., 17, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
ORCID: 0000-0002-8836-1796

Ekaterina Parkhomchuk (Novosibirsk, Russian Federation). Candidate of Chemistry. Novosibirsk State University. Pirogov St., 2, 630090, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation; Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Akademik Lavrentiev Ave., 17, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
ORCID: 0000-0003-2200-884X